Once you have bought a home with a swimming pool or have bought a home and had one constructed and installed, hopefully you will ask yourself, “Is that swimming pool main drain dangerous? How would you answer that question?
Most homeowners would answer, “No, of course not!
That would most likely be a wrong answer! Homeowners should always assume that the main drain on a swimming pool is potentially always dangerous.
Always Assume the Main Drain is Dangerous
The main drain on a swimming pool is not suppose to be dangerous. The pool is supposedly built so the main drain is not dangerous. They are supposedly built so that children and adults cannot be entrapped when they are draining. That being said, however, always teach everyone that they are dangerous and to stay away from them.
There is always the chance that the drain is not up to current code. It’s not worth the chance. You don’t get a second chance when dealing with deep pools of water.
Most of these main drains are built with only a 1 horsepower or 1-1/2 horsepower motor. Doesn’t sound like much, does it? However, if the drain is directly attacked to a body part, you’ll never get that body part away from the drain. The vacuum force created by that drain will be just too much.
That has always been a problem with pool drains. Historically, there have been lots of drownings and near drownings caused by the main drains on swimming pools.
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was passed by the federal government in 2007. This legislation promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment avoidance. You may want to read up on this.
In this Act, there is a lot of reference to underwater suction points. As a result of this act, most modern pools are built with dual underwater drains. This helps, but there are still all sorts of problems that can occur.
For example, if someone is swimming close to these underwater drains, their hair could still be entangled in the grates of the drain. Drowning occurs quickly.
There is also concern about the drain covers. They should not be flat. The drain covers could be broken or even missing. They might be just not compliant with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
The main point is this… never assume that the swimming pool that you or your kids is going into is completely up to current building standards. Do not assume that the pool meets all of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act’s standards.
Always assume the swimming pool main drain is dangerous. You won’t get a second chance!
Here, watch this short 2-minute video about dangerous swimming pool main drains:
Add to Your Pool’s Safety… Install a Safe Swimming Pool Fence
Life Saver Of Houston sells and installs the best safety pool fence on the market. Give the owner Wayne a telephone call by dialing (832) 367-2377. He will come to your home, talk to you about exactly what you want, give you his recommendations, and give you a FREE quote. Or, if you would like, you can email him.